Page 3 - Oct2019
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That was quite the view taxiing back on the runway
seeing the jet approaching fast. A quick clearing turn
off the runway had us front and center to all the 100’s
of airplane watchers and photographers. I received
some beautiful images of our landing. Good thing I
didn’t screw it up.
We were very glad to be on the ground. Lined up with
six other Chipmunks our display represented the seven
decades of their use. KDN stood out with her civilian
finish and garnered a lot of attention over the
De Havilland Canada Chipmunk DHC-1 weekend. We were thrilled to learn KDN was short
G-AKDN — 2016 United Kingdom Tour Pt. 19 listed as a finalist in the Concours d’Elegance. This is a
By Dave Gillespie very coveted award, and we had to find black tie attire
I wasn’t sure if I should bow, kneel, or step back, as HRH to be able to attend the formal gala ball the following
Prince George, the future King of England approached evening, where they make the presentations. We
me. So I just stood my ground, smiled and said “hi’ to him scrounged up some clothes and at the end of the
and his parents, as I held the shutter down on my iPhone. airshow day we changed out of our flight suits in a
Prince William and Princess Catherine had brought shipping container where they stored all the display
George to the Royal International Air Tattoo. KDN had pilot’s helmets, parachutes and gear. Hitching a ride
also been invited to attend the event in honour of the across the airport we were greeted like celebrities
Chipmunk 70th Anniversary. Seeing the Royals inspecting along with a sea of military brass. We were offered
the Chipmunk was a highlight. champagne and joined the crowd on the ramp to
The planning for our participation started a long time watch the RAF Regiment Band performing the Queen’s
before the event, by our friend, supreme organizer and Sunset Parade. This is a precision marching display that
Chipmunk pilot Carol de Solla Atkin. The paperwork and was done perfectly. At the last note a Spitfire did a low
procedures to fly a civilian aircraft into this military event pass. It was a very moving experience and next to
was daunting. When the time came we were given a 2- bumping into the Royals it was the highlight of the
minute landing window. We were very nervous about whole event for me.
being on time and not screwing up among all the high We entered a monster hangar that was decorated with
performance jet traffic inbound at the same time. When black drapes covered with mini white lights looking like
we contacted air traffic control my heart sank when a stars. On display at the ends of the formal dining room
controller answered with a thick Scottish accent. On top were a Raptor and F-16. The dinner and conversation
of everything, when he used our call sign (G-AKDN), was excellent and the awards received great applause.
which is said aloud as “Golf Alfa Kilo Delta November”, He We lost out to the Air Cadet Slingsby Glider that had
said “Golf Delta November”. Another Chipmunk whose been meticulously restored, and as it was the Air
call sign ended in (ND) “November Delta “ was also Cadet’s 75 Anniversary and also a RAF Charitable Trust
confused and was responding to him when he was calling Event, we were humbled to be in the running. We were
me. It took me a few calls to realize what was going on even more humbled to find KDN had been featured on
and it was stressful. I was cleared from a hold point direct the souvenir poster!
to the “in close downwind position”. So after 3 days of listening to jet afterburners, visiting
Once there, he pointed out an Apache helicopter on short with hundreds of the public and seeing the best
final and said “clear to land behind and keep your speed military display pilots in the world, we departed as a
up, there is an F-16 on final behind you”. group of seven Chipmunks and made our way to our
separate home bases. Exhausted, sunburned, wind
After a very quick approach and landing I was instructed burned, we had 2 days to get ready to attend the
to turn around, backtrack and clear. Farnborough Airshow. KDN’s arrival there had it’s own
memorable moments.
To be continued...
